Jan 22, 2026, 06:52 AM ET<\/p>\n
Stan Wawrinka<\/a> had to dig deep to beat Arthur Gea<\/a> in a 4\u00bd-hour, five-set epic to become the first man 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since the 1978 Australian Open.<\/p>\n Fittingly, it was the longest match at the 2026 Australian Open, Wawrinka’s last at Melbourne Park.<\/p>\n The 2014 champion and a three-time major winner, Wawrinka held it together while 21-year-old qualifier Gea struggled with cramps in the fifth set’s 10-point tiebreaker, hanging on for a 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) win Thursday.<\/p>\n At 40 years, 310 days, Wawrinka was the first 40-plus man to go this far at a major since Australian great Ken Rosewall did it 48 years ago at the age of 44.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n The Swiss veteran announced last month that this year would be his last on the elite tour.<\/p>\n It was the 49th time Wawrinka has contested a five-set match at a Grand Slam, more than any other player. He holds a 26-23 record in such matches. Asked in an on-court interview how he felt after 4 hours, 33 minutes on court, Wawrinka said, “Exhausted!”<\/p>\n “As I told you, it’s my last Australian Open, so I’m trying to last as long as possible,” he said, telling a crowd that was almost entirely behind the Swiss veteran. “Not only I had fun, but you gave me so much energy. I’m not young anymore, so I need the extra.”<\/p>\n